Lawrence O'Bryan Branch

Democrat Representative of North Carolina's 4th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

November 28, 1820 (41 years old)

Birthday

September 17, 1862

Death

Served as a U.S. Congressman representing North Carolina from 1855 to 1861.
Elected as a Democrat and participated in three consecutive Congresses.
Engaged in a duel challenge with a fellow Congressman over a dispute, which was prevented by police intervention.
Appointed but declined the position of Secretary of the Treasury in 1860.
Joined the Confederate Army at the onset of the Civil War, initially serving as a private.
Rapidly rose through the ranks to become a brigadier general by January 1862.
Led troops in several significant battles, including the Battle of Antietam, where he was killed in action.
Remembered for his military service and has a memorial cannon at the site of his death.
His family background included connections to prominent political figures, including his uncle, who was a Secretary of the Navy and Governor of North Carolina.